Irish journal of medical science
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Modern treatment of foot and ankle disorders must be based around the restoration of normal function and only if the biomechanics of the foot and ankle are properly understood can appropriate treatment programmes be planned. In the past such programmes have been arbitrary, often based on fusion which could not ever restore normal foot function. However, when one combines the experience of historical treatment techniques with modern biomechanical principles, a new and modern approach can be adopted so that new treatment protocols can be developed.
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Analysis of renal stones may help in elucidating the pathogenesis of nephro-lithiasis. This study compared the use of 2 methods for the analysis of renal stones. One method is qualitative dry 'spot tests' whereas the other is quantitative 'wet chemistry.' In the wet chemistry method, dissolved stone material were analysed using automated chemistry analysers, whereas, the dry method involved spot colour end-point detection. ⋯ The majority of stones were calcium oxalate as determined by wet chemistry (57.4 per cent) and spot tests (50.0 per cent). Fewer mixed stones were obtained by the wet chemistry method (16.8 per cent) compared with the spot tests method (39.0 per cent), whereas, more uric acid stones were obtained by the wet chemistry method (5.6 per cent) compared with the spot tests method (1.9 per cent). 'Pure' calcium phosphate stones (3.0 per cent) were only obtained by the wet chemistry method. In the wet chemistry method, dissolved stone material did not show significant deterioration on storage for up to 9 days.
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Advanced trauma and life support principles: an audit of their application in a rural trauma centre.
In December of 1995 a system of trauma care based on Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) principles was instituted to assess the impact of such principles on trauma care in a rural general hospital setting. This audit reviews the results over a 2 yr period to December 1997. All patients admitted with major trauma (i.e. with life threatening or potentially life threatening injuries) to Cavan General Hospital (CGH) were eligible for inclusion. ⋯ One-third had their full treatment at CGH with a 76 per cent survival rate. The other two-thirds were transferred for specialist intervention with an overall survival of 80 per cent, a disability rate of 16 per cent and a mortality rate of 4 per cent. No patient died during transportation.